Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are finalizing a trade of star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, according to multiple media reports, then first of which was by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The trade has not yet been finalized, but is expected to be for multiple draft picks in compensation, with a third-round pick being the centerpiece, per NFL Network. Pickens, 24, was the team’s second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He showed significant promise as an electric playmaker over three seasons, but also ruffled feathers within the organization with his behavior.
Two days before the NFL,Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was working on “pretty substantive trades” that could happen “before or after the draft.” Obviously, Pickens was one of the substantive trades he was alluding to.
In previous trade conversations surrounding Pickens, the Cowboys offered a fourth-round pick, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. A deal was sealed after Jones and co. increased their offer.
RELATED: Steelers Trading Wide Receiver George Pickens to Cowboys
No new contract has been negotiated as part of the trade, so Pickens arrives in Dallas in a contract year, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Of course, the Cowboys could always negotiate a long-term deal at a later date.
The Cowboys will Pickens his $3.656 million salary in 2025. His trade will cause the Steelers to incur a $522,669 dead cap hit.
In previous trade conversations surrounding Steelers WR George Pickens, the Cowboys offered a fourth-round pick, per source.
Jerry Jones and co. stepped up their offer to land the 24-year-old receiver.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 7, 2025
Pickens was productive for the Steelers, recording 174 catches for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns through the first three years of his NFL career. Talent is not the issue with Pickens. His emotional outbursts and unpredictable behavior were a major thorn in the Steelers’ side, however.
In 2023, he was fined over $200,000 between the NFL and the Steelers for on- and off-the-field incidents, including reported serial tardiness to team practices and meetings.
In 2024, Pickens received over $80,000 in fines from the NFL for his on-field behavior, including unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, two fights after the end of a loss, and a profane message on his eye black. He also got into a sideline spat with fans.
Pickens’s 99.9 receiving grade on deep targets ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season (including postseason), according to Pro Football Focus. His 17 catches for 577 yards on deep targets also ranked first.
Pickens’ skillset is exactly what the Cowboys want to add. He would be an ideal No. 2 to CeeDee Lamb.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Made Cowboys Increase Offer for George Pickens to Seal Trade
